Top 25 Actresses Under 35: Part I
Coming up with a Top list is always going to be controversial especially when it comes to something as subjective as gauging acting talent. Certainly, there will be a lot of argument about whether so and so is worthy of such a spot or why a certain actor was omitted from the list. You should know right away that although I tried to be objective, this is only MY list (with added input from Red).
Expect these top actors and top actresses list to be released quite slowly because first of all, it’s fun to make you really wait for it 
. Another advantage is that no one has any idea who is on the rest of the list before it’s completely over and some people realize their favorite actors were left off the list (AHAH). This should save us from a flurry of hate mail and comments for a little while.
Factors I took into account:
- Filmography: How the actor has performed over the course of his/her career is obviously the main factor
- Length of career: I’m a true believer that actors who have been putting good performances over a longer period of time should get the respect they are due. This is not a most promising young actor list and this is one of the aspect I have been clashing up with my good friend Red.
- Consistency: Any competent actor can give a great performance in the right situation and every actor goes through his/her ups and downs. I belong to the school of thought that a great actor can overcome poor material and come out looking at least competent every single time. Consistency is an important factor of great talent and this is heavily reflected in the ranking as well.
- Quality of Material: The flash in the pan filter. I have always put extra weight on actors who can take sub-par material and turn in a good performance because this is where “flash-in-the-pan actors” always show their limitations. I strongly believe it is a better gauge of talent than this collective “Ooohh!” and “Awwww!” when an actor does well in a showy role that is obviously oriented toward getting awards.
- Other factors: Box office success and critical reception are some of the other factors I may look at.
- Brownie points: Some actors are cooler than others, they get brownie points.
Today, we are going to start with actresses because ladies first right? Part I of top 25 Actors can be found HERE.
(Dis)Honorable Mention: Scarlett Johansson
Castor: With execrable performances in movies like The Spirit or The Black Dahlia, Scar-Jo has taken an absolutely brutal beating the last couple years from the ranks of critics and audience alike (Red doesn’t even have her remotely close to his top 35). However, I think that she still has some potential to be more than a flash-in-the-pan starlet. Only, she needs the ideal circumstances in movies specifically tailored to her extremely quiet style of acting as well as her limited range and depth. Her main problem is that she is probably the most inconsistent actress in Hollywood today. She really has been all over the map, looking relatively good in one movie and then giving a sub-par performance in the next. It also doesn’t help that she has reverted to playing empty roles that emphasize her getting by due to her looks instead of her acting ala Iron Man 2.
I hear that she is doing better on Broadway so maybe she is an actress who needs lots of rehearsals, something that is not common in movie-making. Finally, despite being a household name for years, she is not a major box office draw and is unable to open movies.
Red: Apparently, Red doesn’t even have Johansson anywhere remotely near his top 35 actresses so he did not even bother writing anything about her.
25. Amanda Seyfried
Castor: This will probably perplex and rile up some to see Ms. Seyfried on this list ahead of many others who didn’t make it since she hasn’t really done much but coast on her beauty so far. However, she can’t do nothing wrong this year with a flood of (mediocre) Nicholas Sparks romantic dramas, and the erotic thriller Chloe. She also starred across Megan Fox in Jennifer’s Body and had a part in Mamma Mia next to Meryl Streep. And of course, she will always have Mean Girls. Yes, I know… Not that much to speak off but maybe, this is all a subterfuge to look at pictures of her for 5 minutes as part of my “research”, did you think of that? The key for Seyfried, like most other up-and-coming starlet, will be to add some dramatic weight to her resume and avoid being typecast in these romantic movies that we already associate her with.
Red’s take: While her choice of films is probably the most questionable of anybody on this list, one can’t deny that she holds her own in said questionable movies. She wouldn’t have made my top 25 list, or even my top 35, but she is oozing with potential, and with a more select filmography, she should start living up to her potential.
24. Kelly Macdonald
Castor: A Scottish actress who really has been completely overlooked in Hollywood so far, Kelly Macdonald appeared in Gosford Park, No Country for Old Men and most notably The Merry Gentlemen where she gave an outstanding performance, so great actually that our good friend Nicholas, from Cinema Romantico, took it upon himself to organize her Oscar campaign last year. I can’t really be sure that she will ever become much of a name here in the US but if she does, it will only be justice! Kelly gets brownie points for her totally sexy accent as well as being badly underrated.
Red’s take: While I do think of her as a solid character actor, I’ve never really been overly impressed by her. There’s nothing wrong with being a solid supporting actor, but to me she seems very limited in how far her career will go. (OUCH!)
23. Reese Witherspoon
Castor: It’s hard to believe Reese Witherspoon is still even eligible for this list, she has been in the business for so long. Her first movie, The Man in the Moon, came out all the way back in 1991! Witherspoon is an extremely talented and consistent performer when she sets her mind into it as shown by movies like Freeway, Election, Pleasantville or even Legally Blonde. She even won an Oscar for her portrayal of June Carter in Walk the Line and demonstrated good range in more dramatic roles although she is a natural-born comedian.
Box office-wise, Witherspoon is still a major draw when she actually works, being one of five female movie stars (guess the other 4 in the comments!) able to get a movie green-lighted by her mere presence. The main problem is that she has literally stopped making movies except for her usual brand of one-note romantic comedies. So instead of being somewhere in the top 5, here she is at #23. What a waste of talent…
Red’s take: Couldn’t agree more that she has fallen off the map as of late, and it definitely hurts her star power. She did take part in the underrated Rendition a couple years ago, but it’ somewhat disappointing her career came to a halt after movies like Election and Legally Blonde. That movie shouldn’t have been even watchable, but Witherspoon injected it with an absurd amount of energy, and churned out one of the most entertaining performances of the past decade.
22. Zooey Deschanel
Castor: I think it’s fairly safe to say that just about everyone loves Zooey Deschanel. Few actresses have been successful at both acting and singing and she is one of them. She has been around for a very long time and has appeared in a lot of movies. Most were introduced to her with the movie Almost Famous in 2000, she turned in her best dramatic performance in All the Real Girls (2003) and has been appearing regularly on both the mainstream and indie scene ever since. Zooey’s is usually a very solid performer especially when she engages in her trademark odd, quirky but adorable and funny character which is a perfect fit for romantic and straight comedies. Her main weakness is her apparent lack of range and dramatic weight and it’s possible she will never be “great” in these areas but so what? Zooey gets brownie points for being the successful singer of She & Him.
Red’s take: Ah, sweet Zooey. The epitome of quirkiness, and how fascinating you are because of it. Just when I thought I couldn’t become a bigger fan of Deschanel, she releases a movie like (500) Days of Summer, which was the absolute perfect role for her. I would’ve placed her higher in my list, but Castor is correct in saying that it would be nice to see a bit more range out of her. Though, I have to admit it when she stays the same Zooey and does wonderful little indie films like Flakes. Not the greatest movie ever made, but still entertaining to say the least.
21. Angelina Jolie
Castor: Love her or hate her, Angelina Jolie’s acting career has been overshadowed by her career as tabloid fodder but it doesn’t mean she isn’t a force to contend with as an actress. Most people seem to forget that she has been a highly acclaimed actress so far in her career. She won an Oscar for her performance in Girl Interrupted and then was nominated again in 2008 for Changeling. Additionally, Jolie is one of a handful of actresses who can credibly and successfully play an action movie star. Because she is a top-of-the-line international star, she is as sure a box office bet as there is and is one of only five female movie stars who can get a movie green-lit just by being in it.
In terms of weakness, Angelina’s is such a huge movie star that many directors are unwilling to work with her. She brings too much unwanted attention and drama but more importantly, she can become bigger than the movie and an actor should never be. Additionally, she doesn’t work very often and really is a much bigger tabloid star than she is a movie star. Angelina gets brownie points for turning her image around from freaky girl to saintly humanitarian and becoming a woman’s woman.
Red’s take: The biggest female action star of her generation, it was hard for me to believe that Angelina was still eligible for this list. But to say that she is simply just an action star would be a huge insult of her true acting abilities. While I was severely disappointed with Changeling and didn’t really think that her repetitive performance was worthy of an Oscar nomination, she did sneak one Oscar away in the late 90′s for a surprising take in Girl, Interrupted. I would still argue that her best performance to date is A Mighty Heart, and helped prove that she can still put aside the “movie star” label and give an artistic performance that surprises the hell out of you. I had her in pretty much the exact same spot in my list, but I think that’s less criticizing Jolie and more of a testament towards how great the rest of the list is going to be.
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44 Comments
Poor ScarJo LOL.
Actually I don’t like Zooey. At least not as an actress, she’s too one-note and basically plays the same character in every movie.
Sure she’s gorgeous and adorable but her acting skills have her as the indie equivalent of Kristin Stewart.
Love me some She & Him though
Oh and I always forget how young Jolie is, she seems to have been around since at least the late 50′s.
I’m with Jose here. I vaguely recall seeing Zoey in other stuff. I think Scarlett’s quite good, and since I’m one of those snobs who thinks theatre is harder power to her for doing well on Broadway.
I like Amanda, but I don’t think she’s done anything for me to consider her in a top 50 even.
Oh, I’m glad I’m not the only one pushing for ScarJo. Haha! I do agree with you as well on the Broadway being more difficult, it seems that it would be harder for her to succeed there so it’s good she’s doing well.
If this list was made up about five years ago, ScarJo would probably be in the top 5. But ever since Lost in Translation and The Prestige, her career has certainly taken a turn for the worst. Not even working with Woody Allen was able to revive her career.
Rebecca Hall acted circles around Scar-Jo in the Prestige too lol
Glad to see Scarlett NOT on the top 25. She was sooo annoying in The Prestige I wanted to keep ffwd past her scenes! She’s only good in Lost in Translation IMO, and perhaps that’s ’cause I like Bill Murray.
Her performance in Lost in Translation is so overrated now that you look back on it. If walking around like an emotionless zombie gets you the career Scar-Jo has had, sign me up!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ah come on, I get what you are saying but comparing her to Kristen Stewart, apparently the most overrated actress in Hollywood right now? Not cool
AGREED AGREED!
Great list! I can’t wait to see what comes next.
I’m really still pulling for Johansson…there’s just something about her that I like. And, I feel like she did really good work in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”, at least. Perhaps though, she’ll find more success on the stage?
Also, I love seeing Zooey Deschanel made the cut! She is irresistible, I’ve loved her ever since “Elf”, and I’ve determined that her work in “500 Days of Summer” was really brilliant. I’d love to see her take on a few different roles…maybe a musical?
Incidentally, Scarlett Johansson can sing really well too…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDqZ3WJGNrQ
Amanda Seyfried should be way higher than this. Her potential is enourmous.
But this is not a list about potential only Joel
This is one of the main issues I discussed with Red. There is a lot of promising young faces but I personally think it’s a stretch to put them higher than more established actors/actresses who have done it for a longer period of time.
I never really enjoy watching Scarlett…something about her makes me want to change watching another movie.
As for Amanda, tell you the truth I’ve only seen her in Mamamia…other than that, I haven’t seen her movies, her movies are always the kind of movie I don’t enjoy. Romantic movies are so not my genre. I will see her again in I’m Mortal (If Cillian Murphy signed for this movie).
A bold undertaking. Much respect. Thank you so much for giving Kelly Macdonald her due and especially for mentioning “The Merry Gentleman.” Any pub that movie can get warms my heart. She’s also fantastic in “The Girl In The Cafe” with Bill Nighy, which I think was actually a TV movie but nevertheless….it’s worth a look. Goes places you don’t expect.
Also, I agree completely about Reese Witherspoon especially having read just yesterday that her next movie will be the new James L. Brooks romantic comedy.
Bur Nick is Kelly that good. I like her, loved her understated performance in Gosford Park. I think she has potential, but I don’t think she’s lived up to it at all – thus far.
Okay that should be *but* Nick.
Thanks Nicholas, always happy to quote or link you
OH NO!!! My poor Scarlett!!! Love her! She may have chosen some lousy films to take part in 9as you cite), but she is still a great talent. Saw her on Broadway opposite Liev Schrieber in Miller’s “View From the Bridge” and she surprisingly blew me away. Hope she picks some smarter films in the future.
Oh, and yea for Zoeey!!! She is a doll.
I think we’ll start to see some good work coming from McDonald in the near future.
Can’t really deal with Witherspoon…overrated in my opinion.
I agree that Amanda Seyfried has lots of potential. I loved her in Chloe.
That film is impossible to get to see in Sweden. I’d love to see it. I think she is always good I can’t really remember a film/tv-appearance where she falls through not delivering.
“to her extremely quiet style of acting as well as her limited range and depth.” OUCH. LOL Poor Scarlet. To be honest, though, the most fun we’ve seen her on screen was when she kicked some butt on Iron Man 2… and that’s stretching it. She was possibly the weakest part on Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
I still think Seyfried has the potential (she was on my Top10 Actresses to Watch Until They’re 30), but if she’s not careful she may find herself in a similar position to Johansson. She’s still got Big Love behind her, but she’s pissing her one gig away.
Still, this list seems too broad xD it’s just weird seeing a list with Zooey, Angelina, Reese next to Seyfried. ;P
Also, I agree on Red’ take on Macdonald
You and Red are meanie, ganging up on poor Kelly
I only like Zooey when she’s with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, except for All The Real Girls, and maybe Jesse James.
I thought Angelina Jolie was, like, 36?
Angelina just turned 35 actually
I am amazed how young Angelina is… she seems like an old soul to me. I kept thinking that Aniston is younger than her!
As for Zooey, I think she is just meh. I kept wishing it were a different actress in (500) Days. Quirky? Yeah, she wish. But like Andrew said, it only works for just one role. She does have pretty eyes, but that alone doesn’t make an actress.
I wasa just about to say — Isn’t Angie like 100?
Kelly MacDonald too, right? She was kinda old when she was in Trainspotting.
Upon firther review — Kelly MacDonald is 34
If anyone here saw “Chloe,” I think they’d agree that Seyfried has the potential to be on this list; she really is captivating in that film, and more than holds her own opposite Moore and Neeson.
And I agree with Ripley – it is kind of odd to see Jolie’s name amongst some of these other actresses.
I’ll pretend this is Facebook…
“Like this” xD
Absolutely, she was phenomenal in Chloe! Being able to keep up with Julianne Moore can’t be easy and she made it seem like the most normal thing in the world.
I had no idea Jolie was that young. She seems old to me. And Seyfried does deserve a spot on this list. She’s awesome in Big Love.
Ahaha well… Red and I were very surprised as well.
Seyfried easily deserves to be on this list, and maybe even higher. She’s a uniformly excellent actress who appears to be concerned with choosing her roles judiciously and not simply establishing a name for herself with terrible teen movies and bad romances. I’m a fan.
Count me in as someone who doesn’t get the appeal of Zooey Deschanel as a lead actress. She has a particular energy that doesn’t really lend itself to central performances. She’s really, really pretty and very watchable but I feel like she’s insistent on playing every character like Zooey Deschanel instead of the character, meaning that she emphasizes the fact that she’s quirky-pretty, soft, and kind of fey. That might work for a character like Summer– who I still think needed to read as more enigmatic–but not for, say, Trillian.
Johansson deserves another chance. Iron Man 2 didn’t wow me but she certainly did. I don’t want her to become an object of desire for comic book nerds, but I think a franchise will only boost her career. Hopefully there’s more substantial roles in her future.
How can Scar-Jo wow you in Iron Man 2 of all movies? She did absolutely nothing except for that stunt near the end of the movie. Heck she had the same blank emotion on her face the entire time
I concur, Castor. Great list, looking fwd to see the rest. You guys are such a tease
That entire fight at the end featured her doing a whole lot of things she’s not used to doing. Johansson handled all of the physicality of that scene really, really well without playing it too atypically male, which is a problem I think that a lot of actresses have when they’re directed to beat up a crowd of adversaries.
Frankly, in a movie where men in robotic suits fighting other men in robotic suits, her fight thrilled me the most. A lot of that had to do with how she sold it, though admittedly maybe I just had low expectations considering the fact that it’s ScarJo and she’s not known for doing action.
And she played well off of RDJ in the scenes they did have together. So there’s that too.
I agree, it’s tough to find an actress in Hollywood who is as diverse as Angelina Jolie. She is not only very good in action films, but she is also a very good actress when required. The only negative though is her film choices. She has done way more average to bad films than good ones.
Saw Scar Jo on Broadway this year … nothing to write home about. Overall decent list so far.
Amanda I’m most excited about. She’s picked some questionable roles but is extremely good in roles that are less than challenging.
Scarlett is beautiful, and has that old school movie star quality about her. She hasn’t picked the best roles as of late, but I’m still hoping and waiting.
I’m a huge fan of Angelina. She’s already had a superb career and I don’t doubt that she’ll continue to have a great career.
I’m not a fan of either Reese or Zooey. Reese was great in her youth, but since Legally Blonde I’ve been less than interested. I think her Oscar was a bunch of crap too. Joaquin was the hero of that film. Everyone else was a glimmer in the distance. Zoeey is beautiful and quirky but I’ve experienced no range beyond her just being herself. I dug her on Weeds though.
Deschanel and Witherspoon are two of my favourite actresses. Talented and beautiful. I love the choice to include Kelly MacDonald – I’m a big fan even though I haven’t seen her in many films. When I think of her I’m always reminded of that vigorous, drug-fuelled sex session with Ewan MacGregor in Trainspotting.
Thank you for calling out scarlett! Im so tired of her. I honestly think shes very bland in all her roles. If she wasnt so gorgeous we wouldnt care about her. Shes very overrated.
I love Zooey even if she does play herself in everything. Shes not versatile but it doesnt annoy me for some reasons. Besides she isnt trying to be a “star”. Shes a solid performer who will probably always be in the backround.
Angelina is a good actress. I love her for being a badass female action star. She was great in Gia as well.
Amanda Seyfried i cant stand. I dont see this “potential” everyone keeps talking about. Shes average with above average looks. Thats all.
Reese is allright but lately..eh
Never heard of kelly macdonald. ill keep an eye out
Well Amanda was really a wild pick from me. Really, she hasn’t done much of anything to warrant being on this list yet but as Heather said above, she’s been very good in her roles which have been less than challenging so far. Now, I’m of the school of thought that one should not judge acting talent before you see that person stretch her abilities and Amanda certainly hasn’t yet so the jury is still out on her.
What Kelly was really fantastic in was the miniseries state of play, she absolutely made the show for me.
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